Stabilizer for folding beds



May l1 1926. 1,584,474

E. L. ROBERT! STABILIZER FOR FOLDING BEDS Filed Nov. 28, 1923 2 sheets-sheet 2 fan/He L. A905527/ Patented May 11, 1926.

lllitllpif EDARD Il. ROBERTE, OF VLOS ANGELESzCALFOENIA, ASSIGNQR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO ROBERT BROS., 0F LGS ANGEES, CrliLFF/NL, A COR-PGRATON OF CALIFORNIA,

Application led November- This invention relates to folding beds andrelates particularly totha-t type of foldF ing bedr known as closet bed.

Beds of this character are arranged for folding into vertical 'position andare mounted on wheeled carriages so that they may be conveniently rolled; into a closet during periods in which their use is not desired. In order that the carriage may be moved through the closet doorway, it is necessary to malte the carriage of such beds quite narrow which narrowness is productive of instability of the carriage when the bed frame is being lowered, sometimes causing the bed to topple over on the operator;

tis an object of theinvention to provide stabilizing members for carriages of beds of this character whichare adapted for extension forwardly from the carriage in such a manner that they serve as a lateral continuation ofthe carriage, thus increasing the effective width thereof andV preventing overturning when the bed is being lowered from raised position. Y

A further object of the invention is to provide a stabilizing means of this cha-raci ter which may be easily operated, the principal features thereof being that the stabilizer members are continuously recipient of a resilient force tending to cause extension thereof, but are latch-ed inI retracted position by latch members arranged to be re leased by the foot of the operator when extension of the stabilizing members is desired. When the bed frame is again raised into vertical position and it is desired to move the bed into a place of concealment such as afforded by a closet, the stabilizer members may be swung into retracted position against the action of the resilient means through pressure applied by the foot of the operator.

rEhe above stated features form a device which may be conveniently operated by the person handling a bed without necessity of stooping from erect position.

The especial advantages of the invention and further objects thereof will be made evident hereinafter.

Referring to the drawings which are for illustrative purposes only:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a folding bed equipped with a stabilizer embodying the features of the invention.

Fig. 42 is a section taken on a plane represented by the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

sa, ieee. sei-iai no. tif/7,403'.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary slightly enlarged section derived as indicated by the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. z

Fig. fl is an enlarged fragmentary section takeny on a plane represented by the line lt of F ig. 1, showing the manner of manipulation of the stabilizer.

A simple form ofr folding bed with which the invention may be incorporated consists of a bed frame 11 comprised of side members 12 and end members 13 between which a spring' fabric le is stretched. This bed frame is pivoted` near one end thereof upon a shaft 16. which` extends between end mene bers 1?' of a carriage 18. The ends 17 of the carriage are `ioined by longitudinal angle members 2O and 21 whichA are reinforcedl by cross bars 22. The stabilizer memy bers are conveniently provioed in the forni of arms 23 pivotedr at 2l to the horizontally extended legs of the cross members 22, the pivots 24e being situated slightly within the forward longitudinal bar 21.. The stabilizer members 23ers preferably formed of light structural angles and are equipped with casters 26 at the forward ends thereof, and the rearward endsv 27 of the stabilizer members 23 each` have an end of a spring member 23 attached thereto, which spring members have the opposite ends thereof hooked into-y holes 29 formed in the rearward longitudinall member 20. Latch members 32 are mounted on brackets 33 disposed near the. center of the member 21 and consists preferably of latch bars which are swingable on pivots 35 disposed near the forward laterally turned ends 34 of the bars 36, so that the rearward or downwardly extending ends 37 will be of greater length than the forwardly extending portions and will therefore normally remain in the position shown in full lines in Fig. t, in which position the points 38 engage the stabilizer members near the forward ends thereof and prevent 'the stabilizing members from swinging outward ly under the tension of the springs 23.

From Fig. 3, it will be perceived that the position of the shaft 16 on which the bed frame 11 swings is near the forward edge of the carriage 18, in order to provide nec essary room for the spring fabric 14 and the bed clothes which will be placed thereon. In such beds, in order to counterbalance the weight of the bed frame 11, springs 40 are employed which exert a counterrotative.

force. The tension of these springs also tends to hold the bed trame and the carriage together in vertical position as an integral structure so that when an attempt is made to swing the bed frame downwardlT from raised position, the tendency is for the carriage to swing up on the forward casters 41, thus causing the bed to overbalance which often occurs unexpectedly and is therefore of danger to the person operating the bed.

lVith my invention, however, the bed is moved, in vertical position, to the position at which it is desired to lower the 1oed trame and pressure is applied to the ends 86 ot the latch members 32 by 'forcing downwardly with the toot, which causes the latch members 32 to swing'into the position indicated by dotted lines d5, Fig. Ll, with the result that the forward ends ot the stabilizer members are released so that they may then swing outwardly under the action of the springs 2S, as indicated by` the arrows 47, Fig. 2, into the extended positions indicated by the dotted lines 48, Figs. 2 and 3, IlVhen in extended position, the casters 26 on the stabilizer members 23 are disposed torwardly from the carriage structure, a distance which is more than sutlicient to give a resisting moment of force due to the weight of the carriage, which will oll'set the overbalancing torce applied through the springs 'iO when it is attempted to swing the bed trame ll downwardly. After the bed Vtrame has again been raised into vertical position and it is desired to raise the thus `folded bed into the closet, the stabilizing members may he conveniently swung into retracted position by to 1cing thereagainst with the foot in such a manner as to cause them to swing on the pivots 24; in directions opposite to the arrows 47, the forward ends of the members 23 being 'forced under the forward bar 2]. and into engagement with the latch members 32 by the toe of the shoe 50 worn by the operator, this action being accomplished as indicated in Fig. l.

It will be recognized that the entire operation of the stabilizer members is accomplished without the operator stooping from upright position, and with expenditure of very little time or energy.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a folding bed of the class described, the combination of.: a wheeled carriage having cross members; a bed frame pivotally supported on said carriage so as to swing between raised and 'lowered positions; stabilizer members pirotally secured to the cross members ot said carriage and adapted to rest below one ol said cross members when in retracted position; manually operable gravity latches secured to said carriage, said latches retainingsaid stabilizers in retracted position; `and mechanical means for automatically swinging said stabilizer members into extended position when said latches are released.

2. In a folding bed of the class described, the combination of: a wheeled carriage having cross members; a bed frame pivotally supported on said carriage; stabilizer arms in the form of separate straight levers pivoted to said cross members and each having a retracted position inside of said cross members and an extended position anterior ot' said cross members; spring means tending to swing said arms horizontally into extended position; and foot releasable latches secured to one ot said cross men'ibers for retaining said arms in retracted position.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles, C; litornia, this 8th day of November, 1923.

EDV/TARD L. ROBERTI. 

